PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – The University of Rochester Yellowjackets field hockey team kicked off their 2024 campaign defeating the Hartwick Hawks by a final score of 4-1 on Friday afternoon at Edwin Fauver Stadium.
The Yellowjacket goals were scored by first-year
Maya Ullrich, two goals by sophomore
Grayson Honig and the final goal by first-year
Hannah Mehta. Goalie
Kara Houston faced a total of four shots and finished with one save on the day.
Two minutes into the first quarter, Ullrich scored her first career goal off an assist from Honig to put the Yellowjackets (1-0) up 1-0 early in the game.
A minute later
Kara Houston notched her first save on the year, denying Hartwick's Danielle Hand.
Eight minutes into the second quarter, Honig made her mark displaying advanced stick work to beat two Hartwick defenders for her first goal on the year, bringing Rochester's lead to 2-0.
Hartwick (0-1) started off the second half with their first goal of the game off a long shot from Mackenzie Kensel.
After a couple near misses from Rochester attackers, the Yellowjackets maintained a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, after Honig's first shot deflected off the goalie's pad, the sophomore was able to get her own rebound and punch it right back in, extending the Yellowjackets lead to 3-1.
Later on in the quarter, UR added to their total with Mehta tipping in a high, backhand pass from
Anya Arseneau to push the UR lead to three.
Overall, in the game, Rochester outshot Hartwick 20-4 and was able to hold the Hawks to one shot in the entire second half. The Yellowjackets had a lead in the penalty corners department 12-1, with the Hawks only penalty corner attempt coming in the second quarter.
Hartwick goalie Ashley Luppens made six saves in playing the first half, allowing two goals. Teammate Ava Reynolds stopped seven shots over the final 30 minutes, also surrendering two tallies.
The Yellowjackets continue their season with a non-conference matchup next Thursday at 5 pm at SUNY Brockport.
